Device and method for improving water ice microwave mining efficiency of moon

By generating liquid water on the lunar surface and utilizing its high dielectric loss characteristics to switch to microwave heating, the problem of low energy utilization efficiency in lunar water ice mining has been solved, achieving efficient water ice mining.

CN122014262APending Publication Date: 2026-05-12NORTHEASTERN UNIV CHINA
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
NORTHEASTERN UNIV CHINA
Filing Date
2026-02-03
Publication Date
2026-05-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Microwave heating technology has low energy efficiency and a slow heating process in the extraction of water ice on the moon.

Method used

The system employs a combination of a multi-functional drilling unit, a gas pressure regeneration unit, a multi-functional heating unit, and a water collection and storage unit. It generates liquid water using electric heating in a sealed environment and then switches to microwave heating using the high dielectric loss characteristics of the liquid water, forming a rapid heat transfer channel.

Benefits of technology

This significantly improved the microwave heating efficiency of lunar water ice, enabling low-energy in-situ extraction.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention discloses a device and a method for improving the microwave mining efficiency of moon water ice, and belongs to the technical field of in-situ mining of extraterrestrial water ice. The device comprises a multifunctional drilling unit, an air pressure reconstruction unit, a multifunctional heating unit and a moisture collection and storage unit, the multifunctional drilling unit is used for drilling frozen lunar soil, and the multifunctional drilling unit is further used for providing a sealed environment for the frozen lunar soil extracted through drilling; the air pressure reconstruction unit is used for setting a pressure environment for frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit according to preset requirements; the multifunctional heating unit is used for heating the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit in a pressure environment set by the air pressure reconstruction unit, so that the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit generates liquid water, and ice in the frozen lunar soil is melted and vaporized by taking the liquid water as a microwave absorption and heat conduction carrier; and the water collection and storage unit is used for collecting and storing water vapor generated by melting and vaporizing ice in the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of in-situ extraction technology of extraterrestrial water ice, and in particular to an apparatus and method for improving the efficiency of microwave extraction of lunar water ice. Background Technology

[0002] The in-situ development and utilization of lunar water ice resources is of great significance for the sustainable development of deep space exploration. Lunar water ice resources are mostly located in permanently shadowed areas near the lunar poles. Currently, the main methods for their development and utilization include off-site extraction and in-situ extraction. Off-site extraction refers to using mechanical drilling and excavation to strip ice-containing lunar regolith from permanently shadowed craters and transport it to a dedicated sealed cavity for water extraction. This method consumes a lot of energy during transportation. In-situ extraction refers to directly extracting water resources at the water ice storage site using in-situ heating methods. This method can directly produce water resources. In-situ heating mainly includes induction heating, resistance heating, microwave heating, and solar heating. Among these, microwave heating has the advantages of selective heating and volumetric heating compared to other heating methods.

[0003] On Earth, microwave technology is frequently used in engineering to soften permafrost. Its high efficiency stems from the fact that, under standard atmospheric pressure, melting ice instantly transforms into liquid water. Liquid water has a much higher dielectric loss factor than ice, which has a low dielectric constant and loss factor. This allows a large amount of microwave energy to penetrate the ice directly without being absorbed. Liquid water absorbs microwave energy more efficiently and converts it into heat. Simultaneously, its high fluidity allows it to rapidly conduct heat to the surrounding unmelted ice layer, creating "hot spots" and expanding the melting area. This phase transition from solid to liquid, combined with the excellent microwave absorption of liquid water, constitutes a self-reinforcing and highly efficient thermal cycle, enabling microwave energy to propagate rapidly and deeply within the permafrost, rather than remaining only on the surface.

[0004] However, in the lunar polar regions rich in water ice, due to the extremely low surface pressure, the ice, when heated by microwaves, does not melt into liquid water but directly sublimates into a gaseous state and dissipates instantly. This not only prevents the formation of liquid water—an efficient "secondary heat source" and heat transfer medium—but also carries away a large amount of latent heat, resulting in extremely low energy utilization efficiency and a slow heating process. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice, to solve the problems of low energy utilization efficiency and slow heating process in the microwave heating technology for lunar water ice mining. To achieve the above objective, the present invention proposes an apparatus for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice, comprising:

[0006] The system includes a multi-functional drilling unit, a gas pressure regeneration unit, a multi-functional heating unit, and a moisture collection and storage unit. The multi-functional drilling unit is used to drill into frozen lunar soil and also provides a sealed environment for the frozen lunar soil extracted during drilling. The pressure regeneration unit is used to set a pressure environment for the frozen lunar soil in the multi-functional drilling unit according to preset requirements. The multifunctional heating unit is used to heat the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit under the pressure environment set by the gas pressure regeneration unit, so as to generate liquid water in the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit, and use the liquid water as a microwave absorption and heat conduction carrier to melt and vaporize the ice in the frozen lunar soil. The water collection and storage unit is used to collect and store water vapor generated by the melting and vaporization of ice in the frozen lunar soil within the multifunctional drilling unit.

[0007] Optionally, the multifunctional drilling unit includes: a hollow drill barrel, a drive motor, a rotary motor, and a ring-cutting cutterhead; the drive motor is drivenly connected to the hollow drill barrel, and a sawtooth is fixedly provided at one end of the hollow drill barrel away from the drive motor; the rotary motor and the ring-cutting cutterhead are embedded in the inner wall of the hollow drill barrel, and the rotary motor is drivenly connected to the ring-cutting cutterhead so that the cutterhead on the ring-cutting cutterhead rotates and closes, providing a sealed environment for the frozen lunar soil extracted by drilling.

[0008] Optionally, the circumferential cutting disc includes a fixed plate, a rolling element, a rotating shaft, and a cutting disc. The fixed plate is fixed inside the hollow drill cylinder at a predetermined distance from the saw teeth, and the fixed plate is parallel to the plane where the saw teeth are located. A predetermined groove is provided on the fixed plate, and the rolling element is disposed in the groove. The rolling element follows the rotary motor to rotate along the groove. The rotating shaft passes through the rolling element, and the cutting disc is nested on the rotating shaft so that the cutting disc rotates with the rotating shaft.

[0009] Optionally, the pressure regeneration unit consists of a helium tank, a negative pressure unit, an inlet / outlet valve, and a pressure gauge. The helium tank is located above the hollow drill barrel and is connected to the negative pressure unit and the inlet / outlet valve. The pressure gauge is located inside the hollow drill barrel to monitor the internal environmental pressure. The inlet / outlet valve connects the inside of the hollow drill barrel to the helium tank, and the negative pressure unit is connected to the helium tank.

[0010] Optionally, the multifunctional heating unit includes an electric heating plate, a temperature sensor, a solid-state microwave source, and a microwave radiation port; the electric heating plate is located inside the hollow drill barrel, the temperature sensor is disposed on the surface of the circumferential cutting disc away from the saw teeth, and the solid-state microwave source radiates microwave energy into the hollow drill barrel through the microwave radiation port.

[0011] Optionally, the water collection and storage unit consists of a water collection pipe and a cold trap, wherein the water collection pipe connects the interior of the hollow drill barrel to the cold trap.

[0012] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for improving the efficiency of lunar water ice microwave mining, comprising: The multi-functional drilling unit is controlled to drill for frozen lunar soil according to preset parameters. When the multi-functional drilling unit drills to the target position corresponding to the preset parameters, the multi-functional drilling unit is controlled to provide a sealed environment for the drilled frozen lunar soil. The pressure regeneration unit is controlled according to a preset pressure value to ensure that the extracted frozen lunar soil is in a sealed environment with a preset pressure value. The frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment with a preset air pressure value is heated by a multi-functional heating unit so that liquid water is generated in the frozen lunar soil in the multi-functional drilling unit. The liquid water is used as a microwave absorption and heat conduction carrier to melt and vaporize the ice in the frozen lunar soil. The water vapor generated by the melting and vaporization of ice in the frozen lunar soil within the multifunctional drilling unit is collected and stored through the water collection and storage unit.

[0013] Optionally, the step of heating the frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment under a preset pressure value using a multi-functional heating unit includes: The frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment with a preset air pressure value is heated by electric heating, so that the frozen lunar soil in the sealed environment with the preset air pressure value produces liquid water; When the temperature sensor in the multifunctional heating unit detects that the temperature of the frozen lunar soil in the sealed environment with the preset air pressure value has reached the preset value, microwave heating is used to heat the frozen lunar soil containing liquid water to generate water vapor.

[0014] First, an electric heating plate is used to initially heat the ice-containing lunar soil in a sealed, high-pressure environment. The core purpose is to melt some of the ice crystals and generate a small amount of initial liquid water.

[0015] When the temperature sensor detected that the lunar soil temperature reached approximately 0°C, it indicated that initial liquid water had been generated.

[0016] Subsequently, the system switched to microwave heating mode, leveraging the high microwave absorption efficiency of liquid water as a heat transfer medium to construct a rapid heat transfer channel, thereby significantly improving the microwave heating efficiency of the frozen lunar soil and causing the ice inside the frozen lunar soil to melt and vaporize.

[0017] Implementing the embodiments of the present invention will have the following beneficial effects: By combining the drilling mechanism with gas pressure regeneration, and designing rolling elements, rolling shafts, and cutter rings to seal the gas environment, an environment conducive to the presence of liquid water is created. The microwave heating mechanism is effectively integrated with the drilling rig to achieve efficient microwave water ice extraction under conditions of temporary liquid water presence. Helium is reused through inlet and outlet valves, barometers, and a negative pressure unit. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] in: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a device for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the bottom view of the circumferential cutting disc provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the closed circumferential cutting disc provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a method for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Among them, 1. drive motor, 2. hollow drill barrel, 3. cold trap, 4. water collection pipe, 5. solid-state microwave source, 6. microwave radiation port, 7. electric heating plate, 8. rotary motor, 9. ring cutting cutter head, 10. drill teeth, 11. ice-containing lunar soil, 12. pressure gauge, 13. inlet and outlet valves, 14. negative pressure machine, 15. helium tank, 16. rotating shaft, 17. rolling element, 18. temperature sensor, 19. cutter head. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of this invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice, comprising: The system includes a multi-functional drilling unit, a gas pressure regeneration unit, a multi-functional heating unit, and a moisture collection and storage unit. The multi-functional drilling unit is used to drill into frozen lunar soil and also provides a sealed environment for the frozen lunar soil extracted during drilling. The pressure regeneration unit is used to set a pressure environment for the frozen lunar soil in the multi-functional drilling unit according to preset requirements. The multifunctional heating unit is used to heat the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit under the pressure environment set by the gas pressure regeneration unit, so as to generate liquid water in the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit, and use the liquid water as a microwave absorption and heat conduction carrier to melt and vaporize the ice in the frozen lunar soil. The water collection and storage unit is used to collect and store water vapor generated by the melting and vaporization of ice in the frozen lunar soil within the multifunctional drilling unit.

[0023] For example, the multifunctional drilling unit is used for drilling operations on frozen lunar regolith and providing a sealed environment during water extraction. The pressure regeneration unit is used to provide a certain pressure environment during water ice extraction, allowing for the temporary existence of liquid water. The multifunctional heating unit includes electric heating and microwave heating, employing a step-by-step heating strategy. First, resistance heating is used to melt some of the ice into initial liquid water. Then, taking advantage of the fact that the dielectric loss of liquid water is much higher than that of ice, microwave heating is switched on, leveraging the efficient microwave absorption advantage of liquid water as a heat transfer carrier to construct a rapid heat transfer channel, thereby significantly improving the microwave heating efficiency of frozen lunar regolith and causing the ice within the frozen lunar regolith to melt and vaporize. The water collection and storage unit is used for storing and collecting water after the thermal extraction of water ice resources. This invention achieves efficient, low-energy in-situ extraction of lunar water ice resources by recreating a suitable pressure environment on the lunar surface and utilizing the strong microwave absorption of liquid water after the "ice-water" phase transition.

[0024] For example, the pressure regeneration unit fills the cavity with helium, raising the internal pressure to above the triple point pressure of water, thus creating conditions for ice to melt into liquid water.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the multi-functional drilling unit includes: a hollow drill barrel 2, a drive motor 1, a rotary motor 8, and a ring-cutting cutterhead 9; the drive motor 1 is drivenly connected to the hollow drill barrel 2, and drill teeth 10 are fixedly provided at one end of the hollow drill barrel 2 away from the drive motor 1; the rotary motor 8 and the ring-cutting cutterhead 9 are embedded in the inner wall of the hollow drill barrel 2, and the rotary motor 8 is drivenly connected to the ring-cutting cutterhead 9 so that the cutterhead on the ring-cutting cutterhead 9 rotates and closes, providing a sealed environment for the frozen lunar soil extracted by drilling.

[0026] In one possible implementation, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, the circumferential cutting disc 9 includes a fixed plate, a rolling element 17, a rotating shaft 16, and a cutting disc. The fixed plate is fixed inside the hollow drill cylinder 2 at a predetermined distance from the drill teeth 10, and the fixed plate is parallel to the plane where the drill teeth 10 are located. A predetermined groove is provided on the fixed plate, and the rolling element 17 is disposed in the groove. The rolling element 17 follows the rotating motor 8 and rotates along the groove. The rotating shaft 16 passes through the rolling element 17, and the cutting disc is nested on the rotating shaft 16 so that the cutting disc rotates with the rotating shaft 16.

[0027] For example, the multifunctional drilling unit consists of a hollow drill barrel 2, a drive motor 1, a rotary motor 8, a ring-cutting cutter head 9, and drill teeth 10. The hollow drill barrel 2 is connected to the drive motor 1, and the drill teeth 10 are located at the lower part of the hollow drill barrel 2 to achieve drilling into frozen soil. The rotary motor 8 and the ring-cutting cutter head 9 are located inside the hollow drill barrel 2. The rotary motor 8 controls the rotation of the cutter head 19 on the ring-cutting cutter head 9. The ring-cutting cutter head 9 is connected to the cutter head by a rolling element 17 and a rotating shaft 16. When the drill barrel drills to a certain position, the rolling element moves from the outside to the inside of the hollow drill barrel 2 under the drive of the rotary motor 8. After the rolling element reaches a fixed position on the inner wall of the hollow drill barrel 2, the rotating shaft 16 starts to drive the cutter head 19 to rotate, sealing the entire interior of the hollow drill barrel 2 and providing a sealed environment for the air pressure regeneration unit and the water vapor collection unit.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the pressure regeneration unit consists of a helium tank 15, a negative pressure unit 13, an inlet / outlet valve 14, and a pressure gauge. The helium tank 15 is located above the hollow drill barrel 2 and is connected to the negative pressure unit 13 and the inlet / outlet valve 14. The pressure gauge 12 is located inside the hollow drill barrel 2 to monitor the internal environmental pressure. The inlet / outlet valve 14 connects the inside of the hollow drill barrel 2 to the helium tank 15, and the negative pressure unit 13 is connected to the helium tank 15.

[0029] For example, the pressure regeneration unit consists of a helium tank 15, a negative pressure unit 13, an inlet / outlet valve 14, and a pressure gauge. The helium tank 15 is located above the hollow drill barrel 2, connecting the negative pressure unit 13 and the inlet / outlet valve 14, providing a pressure environment for liquid water extraction. The pressure gauge 12 is located inside the hollow drill barrel 2, monitoring the internal pressure. The inlet / outlet valve 14 is located inside the hollow drill barrel 2, connecting the ice-containing lunar soil zone 11 to the helium tank 15. During drilling, the valve is closed; after sealing inside the drill barrel, the valve opens, allowing helium to enter and provide a pressure environment for liquid water. During thermal extraction, the valve closes to ensure sufficient water vapor enters the cold trap 3. After thermal extraction, the valve is opened, the negative pressure unit 13 is activated, and the helium is drawn back into the helium tank 15 for reuse. The negative pressure unit 13 is connected to the helium tank 15 for helium extraction.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the multifunctional heating unit includes an electric heating plate 7, a temperature sensor 18, a solid-state microwave source 5, and a microwave radiation port 6; the electric heating plate 7 is located inside the hollow drill barrel 2, the temperature sensor 18 is disposed on the surface of the circumferential cutting disc 9 away from the drill teeth 10, and the solid-state microwave source 5 radiates microwave energy into the hollow drill barrel 2 through the microwave radiation port 6.

[0031] For example, the multifunctional heating unit includes an electric heating plate 7, a temperature sensor 18, a solid-state microwave source 5, and a microwave radiation port 6. The electric heating plate 7 is located inside the hollow drill barrel 2 and is used to heat trace amounts of ice into trace amounts of liquid water. The temperature sensor 18 is located on the ring cutter and is used to test the temperature of the ice-containing lunar soil 11. When the measured temperature is 0°C, the electric heating plate 7 is turned off. The solid-state microwave source 5 provides energy for microwave heating. The microwave radiation port 6 is used to radiate microwave energy.

[0032] For example, the multifunctional heating unit employs a step-by-step heating strategy. First, an electric heating plate is used to initially heat the ice-containing lunar regolith under a sealed, high-pressure environment. The core purpose is to melt some of the ice crystals and generate a small amount of initial liquid water. When the temperature sensor detects that the lunar regolith temperature reaches approximately 0°C, it indicates that initial liquid water has been generated. Subsequently, the system switches to microwave heating mode. At this time, because the dielectric loss factor of liquid water is much higher than that of solid ice, the generated liquid water will preferentially and efficiently absorb microwave energy, causing a rapid temperature rise. The heated liquid water rapidly transfers heat to the surrounding solid ice through flow and heat conduction, causing it to melt. The newly melted water continues to efficiently absorb microwave energy, thus forming a self-sustaining, ever-expanding, highly efficient heating front, greatly improving the overall heating rate and energy utilization efficiency.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the water collection and storage unit consists of a water collection pipe and a cold trap 3, wherein the water collection pipe 4 connects the interior of the hollow drill cylinder 2 to the cold trap 3.

[0034] For example, the water collection and storage unit consists of a water collection pipe and a cold trap 3. The water collection pipe 4 connects the ice-containing lunar soil 11 inside to the cold trap 3. Microwave heating of the frozen lunar soil containing liquid water is highly efficient. After microwave heating, the ice enters the water collection pipe 4 in the form of vapor and condenses at the cold trap 3.

[0035] For example, the moisture collection and storage unit is used to collect and condense water vapor generated during heating. During the microwave heating stage, the moisture in the ice-containing lunar soil (including initial liquid water and subsequent melted water) is rapidly vaporized. Since the cavity is sealed, the generated water vapor is introduced into the cold trap through the gas collection pipe under the action of pressure difference. The cold trap maintains a low temperature, causing the water vapor to condense and reduce to liquid water, thereby realizing the collection and storage of water resources.

[0036] Secondly, such as Figure 4 As shown, the present invention provides a method for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice, comprising: S110. Control the multi-functional drilling unit to drill for frozen lunar soil according to preset parameters. When the multi-functional drilling unit drills to the target position corresponding to the preset parameters, control the multi-functional drilling unit to provide a sealed environment for the drilled frozen lunar soil. S120. Control the pressure regeneration unit according to the preset pressure value so that the extracted frozen lunar soil is in a sealed environment with the preset pressure value. S130. The frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment with a preset air pressure value is heated by the multi-functional heating unit so that liquid water is generated in the frozen lunar soil in the multi-functional drilling unit, and the liquid water is used as a microwave absorption and heat conduction carrier to melt and vaporize the ice in the frozen lunar soil. S140. Collect and store water vapor generated by the melting and vaporization of ice in the frozen lunar soil within the multifunctional drilling unit through the water collection and storage unit.

[0037] An exemplary method for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice includes the following steps: Step S1: Based on the lunar surface water ice resource exploration results, determine the equipment operation area and operation parameters. The operation parameters include drilling depth and drilling speed.

[0038] Step S2: Complete the drilling operation according to the selected work area and work parameters.

[0039] Step S3: After drilling reaches the designated position, the rolling element drives the ring cutter 1 to move and achieve circumferential cutting. After the rolling element reaches the designated position, the rotating shaft rotates to achieve the movement of the ring cutter 2, so that a sealed environment is formed inside the drill barrel.

[0040] Step S4: The inlet and outlet valves are opened, and helium gas enters the sealed space formed by the drill barrel.

[0041] Step S5: The barometer monitors the internal pressure of the drill barrel. When the pressure reaches the minimum air pressure that allows liquid water to exist, the inlet and outlet air valves are closed.

[0042] Step S6: Turn on the electric heating plate. When the temperature sensor reaches 0℃, that is, when the trace amount of water ice changes from solid ice to liquid water, turn off the electric heating plate.

[0043] Step S7: Turn on the microwave heating device to microwave heat the ice-containing lunar soil, so that the ice in the frozen lunar soil melts and vaporizes into water vapor.

[0044] Step S8: Turn on the water vapor collection device to collect water vapor.

[0045] Step S9: After the water ice extraction is complete, turn off the water vapor collection device, open the inlet and outlet valves, turn on the negative pressure machine, and return the helium gas to the helium tank.

[0046] Step S10: Complete one water-ice collection cycle, return the ring cutter head to its original position, and remove the hollow drill cylinder.

[0047] The frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment with a preset air pressure value is heated by electric heating, so that the frozen lunar soil in the sealed environment with the preset air pressure value produces liquid water; When the temperature sensor in the multifunctional heating unit detects that the temperature of the frozen lunar soil in the sealed environment with the preset air pressure value has reached the preset value, microwave heating is used to heat the frozen lunar soil containing liquid water to generate water vapor.

[0048] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

[0049] The above description discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice, characterized in that, include: The system includes a multi-functional drilling unit, a gas pressure regeneration unit, a multi-functional heating unit, and a moisture collection and storage unit. The multi-functional drilling unit is used to drill into frozen lunar soil and also provides a sealed environment for the frozen lunar soil extracted during drilling. The pressure regeneration unit is used to set a pressure environment for the frozen lunar soil in the multi-functional drilling unit according to preset requirements. The multifunctional heating unit is used to heat the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit under the pressure environment set by the gas pressure regeneration unit, so as to generate liquid water in the frozen lunar soil in the multifunctional drilling unit, and use the liquid water as a microwave absorption and heat conduction carrier to melt and vaporize the ice in the frozen lunar soil. The water collection and storage unit is used to collect and store water vapor generated by the melting and vaporization of ice in the frozen lunar soil within the multifunctional drilling unit.

2. The device for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-functional drilling unit includes: a hollow drill barrel, a drive motor, a rotary motor, and a ring-cutting cutterhead; the drive motor is drivenly connected to the hollow drill barrel, and a sawtooth is fixedly provided at one end of the hollow drill barrel away from the drive motor; the rotary motor and the ring-cutting cutterhead are embedded in the inner wall of the hollow drill barrel, and the rotary motor is drivenly connected to the ring-cutting cutterhead so that the cutterhead on the ring-cutting cutterhead rotates and closes, providing a sealed environment for the frozen lunar soil extracted by drilling.

3. The device for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The circumferential cutting disc includes a fixed plate, a rolling element, a rotating shaft, and a cutting disc. The fixed plate is fixed inside the hollow drill cylinder at a predetermined distance from the saw teeth, and the fixed plate is parallel to the plane where the saw teeth are located. A predetermined groove is provided on the fixed plate, and the rolling element is disposed in the groove. The rolling element rotates along the groove with the rotary motor. The rotating shaft passes through the rolling element, and the cutting disc is nested on the rotating shaft so that the cutting disc rotates with the rotating shaft.

4. The device for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure regeneration unit consists of a helium tank, a negative pressure unit, inlet and outlet valves, and a pressure gauge. The helium tank is located above the hollow drill barrel and is connected to the negative pressure unit and the inlet and outlet valves. The pressure gauge is located inside the hollow drill barrel to monitor the internal environmental pressure. The inlet and outlet valves are connected to the inside of the hollow drill barrel and the helium tank. The negative pressure unit is connected to the helium tank.

5. The device for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The multifunctional heating unit includes an electric heating plate, a temperature sensor, a solid-state microwave source, and a microwave radiation port. The electric heating plate is located inside the hollow drill barrel, the temperature sensor is set on the surface of the circumferential cutting disc away from the saw teeth, and the solid-state microwave source radiates microwave energy into the hollow drill barrel through the microwave radiation port.

6. The device for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The water collection and storage unit consists of a water collection pipe and a cold trap, with the water collection pipe connecting the interior of the hollow drill barrel to the cold trap.

7. A method for improving the efficiency of microwave mining of lunar water ice, characterized in that, include: The multi-functional drilling unit is controlled to drill for frozen lunar soil according to preset parameters. When the multi-functional drilling unit drills to the target position corresponding to the preset parameters, the multi-functional drilling unit is controlled to provide a sealed environment for the drilled frozen lunar soil. The pressure regeneration unit is controlled according to a preset pressure value to ensure that the extracted frozen lunar soil is in a sealed environment with a preset pressure value. The frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment with a preset air pressure value is heated by a multi-functional heating unit so that liquid water is generated in the frozen lunar soil in the multi-functional drilling unit. The liquid water is used as a microwave absorption and heat conduction carrier to melt and vaporize the ice in the frozen lunar soil. The water vapor generated by the melting and vaporization of ice in the frozen lunar soil within the multifunctional drilling unit is collected and stored through the water collection and storage unit.

8. The method for improving the efficiency of lunar water ice microwave mining as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The step of heating frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment with a preset air pressure value using a multi-functional heating unit includes: The frozen lunar soil in a sealed environment with a preset air pressure value is heated by electric heating, so that the frozen lunar soil in the sealed environment with the preset air pressure value produces liquid water; When the temperature sensor in the multifunctional heating unit detects that the temperature of the frozen lunar soil in the sealed environment with the preset air pressure value has reached the preset value, microwave heating is used to heat the frozen lunar soil containing liquid water to generate water vapor.